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How Many RTM Cards In IPL 2025: Team's Right To Match Options For The Auction

Sakshi Sharma

IPL 2025 mega auction (Source: @Monish09cric,x.com)IPL 2025 mega auction (Source: @Monish09cric,x.com)

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction has already started with a bang on November 24 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. With 10 teams vying to fill 204 slots from a pool of 577 players, this year’s auction is expected to be one of the most exciting in IPL history.

What Is The RTM Rule?

The Right-to-Match card allows teams to retain players from their previous squad by matching the highest bid made by other franchises during the auction. First introduced in the IPL 2014 mega auction and later featured in the 2018 edition, the RTM rule gives teams a chance to keep key players despite competition. 

After being scrapped in the IPL 2022 auction, the RTM card has been reintroduced for IPL 2025. 

New Rule To The RTM 

The IPL Governing Council has set the maximum retention limit at six players, including RTM cards. This adjustment directly impacts the number of RTM cards available to each team, calculated as 6 Number of Players Retained Pre-Auction. 

For example: If a team like RCB retains six players before the auction, they will have no RTM cards. On the other hand, a team like LSG, retaining zero players, can use all six RTM cards during the auction.

Why Did PBKS Use RTM For Arshdeep Singh?

The IPL 2025 mega auction kicked off in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, as Arshdeep Singh became the first player to be sold, with a whopping ₹18 crore. Punjab Kings used RTM card to retain the left-arm pacer, securing his services despite fierce competition from multiple franchises.

The bidding began at the base price of ₹2 crore, with CSK making the opening bid. As the bidding moved ahead, DC and GT joined the fray, pushing the price beyond ₹7 crore. When CSK exited at ₹7.5 crore, RCB entered late with a ₹10 crore bid. RR then raised the stakes to ₹11 crore, followed by SRH, who took the bid to ₹15.5 crore.

As the final bid stood with SRH, Punjab Kings exercised their RTM card to match the price. SRH attempted to raise the stakes further, bidding ₹18 crore, but PBKS matched it again to bring Arshdeep back into their fold.